There’s Just Something About Maine
As you drive over the bridge from New Hampshire, your GPS dings with an alert: Welcome to Maine. You glance to your right and notice the boats dotting the harbor, and suddenly, the air feels a bit fresher, lighter, cleaner.
You can’t help but loosen your grip on the steering wheel and let out a breath you didn’t even realize you were holding in. There’s just something about Maine, you think to yourself. And then, another thought pops in: What if it could always be like this? What if Maine became home?
Sometimes a thought surprises us and we use it as a catalyst for action. Other times, our thoughts are the result of long-held dreams we’re finally ready to take action on. No matter how you’ve arrived at the decision to look for property in Maine, the coastal communities below have something to offer just about everyone. Once you’ve read through, let’s chat and together we’ll discover which one is just right for you.
Remember, home isn’t just where you’re from; it’s where you belong.
First up: Kittery.
Both the gateway and the oldest town in Maine, Kittery is quickly becoming a real estate hot spot. (Think: Portsmouth 10 years ago.)
In the past, you may have been best-acquainted with this coastal town via the outlet shopping on Route 1, but there is so much more Kittery has to offer.
Home to the naval shipyard, Kittery has about 10,000 year-round residents. The fine arts community has a strong presence in Kittery Foreside’s Wallingford Square where you’ll find the Dance Hall, an art gallery, top-rated restaurants, and independent shops and cafes.
For the adventurous or outdoorsy types, there are extensive trail systems; access points for kayaking; and two beaches (Seapoint and Fort Foster) perfect for swimming, sun-bathing and dog-walking.
On weekends in the summer, you’ll be able to grab fresh groceries at the local farmer’s market, bring the family out to the annual summer block party or take a walk over the bridge in to Portsmouth for more shopping, eating, and live entertainment (there are outdoor concerts every week at Prescott Park).
Next up, York.
Almost double the size of Kittery, York is the second-oldest town, and better known by tourists and locals alike. Home to four well-known beaches: Short Sands, Long Sands, Cape Neddick, and Harbor Beaches, the population swells in the summertime from 12,500 to more than 50,000. There are homes and accompanying lifestyles to match each price point in York. Tourists bring their families to the walkable area known Short Sands where there’s swimming, sunbathing, an arcade, shopping, eating and entertainment at York’s Wild Kingdom and Amusement Park.
After a short drive south, you’ll land at east-facing Long Sands Beach, featuring more than a mile of sandy beach with on-street, public parking.
York is also home to one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world, with an estimated half million people visiting Sohier Park annually to gaze across the channel at Nubble Lighthouse.
Settled in 1624, the historical district of York Village features more shops, restaurants and preserved historic buildings that now function as museums.
For those who love hiking, biking and sunset picnics, Mount Agamenticus (or as the locals call it, Mount A) is pure perfection. You can access the summit by car or by foot. On a clear day, you can see Boston’s skyscrapers to the south, Mount Washington to the northwest and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
Last, but certainly not least, in the York Harbor district, you’ll find Wiggly Bridge, the smallest suspension bridge in the world. On the other side of the bridge, you’ll find a one mile hiking trail called the Cliff Walk. It’s a perfect mini adventure for families, romantic sunset strolls, and regular eagle sightings.
On to Ogunquit.
Before we pass over the town line into Ogunquit, you may want to brace yourself. There’s no way you’re getting out of here without falling deeply, madly and totally in love. According to legend, Ogunquit was named by the Abenaki tribe because the word means “beautiful place by the sea,” and centuries later, it’s still the perfect description.
Geographically, Ogunquit is tiny. At only 15 square miles, it’s about an eighth of the size of York. While it is considered one of the ultimate tourist destinations in the summer, attracting 75,000 - 80,000 daily visitors, there are only 1,300 year round residents. Most communities wouldn’t be able to support this level of population influx, but Ogunquit isn’t most communities. This town isn’t just quaint, it’s a well-oiled machine and it keeps its streets, its shops and its beaches in pristine condition.
Speaking of beaches, Ogunquit has miles of them and they’re been voted among the best in the whole country. They’re accessible to everyone via public parking or, for a throwback, you can take the local trolley. ($2 for adults, 50 cents for kids.)
Perkins Cove is an active harbor where the list of what you can’t do is much shorter than the list of what you can do. It’s an idyllic spot where you can fish, kayak, charter a boat, take your loved ones out for a sunset cruise and so much more. It’s peppered with restaurants, shops, art galleries, and of course the shore walk called Marginal Way that connects to downtown Ogunquit. At low tide, you can climb down on the rocky coastline to find crabs, starfish and even an occasional seal! If it sounds too good to be true, I welcome the opportunity to be your tour guide for you to see it with your own eyes.
Exit 19: Wells.
Less than a 20 minute drive from the New Hampshire state line, Wells is the third-oldest town in Maine. Here, you’ll find iconic landmarks, restaurants, and more than 7 miles of beaches (Moody, Crescent, Wells, and Drake’s Island).
While all of Wells’ beaches are beautiful, Drake’s Island Beach is a hidden gem you won’t want to miss! (In fact, it is so well-hidden, many of Wells’ own residents don’t know about it.) Dog-friendly, it’s equipped with a public bath house and lifeguards during daylight hours. A 1/2 mile stretch of soft white sand, it is said to be one of Maine’s prettiest and cleanest beaches.
Known for their excellent school systems, Wells has a robust year-round population of around 10,000 residents.
There’s no shortage of restaurants and entertainment in Wells; and it’s also well-loved for it’s location (right off I-95 for easy commuter access). Just over an hour to Boston and 30 minutes to Portland, you’re close to major airports and other urban amenities.
If you’re anything like the natives, locals or tourists (and that’s all of us!) you’ll love Post Road’s ‘Antique Mile’ with dozen of antique vendors lining the street.
Our final stop: The Kennebunks.
Like its southern counterparts, the town of Kennebunkport encompasses everything that could be described as quintessentially Maine.
Nestled around the Kennebunk River, the downtown area is just one mile from the open waters of the Atlantic. The buildings here aren’t more than 3 stories tall, each one more colorful than the last. Shops, restaurants, and art galleries occupy the real estate here and they cater to both locals and tourists.
The runners, dog-walkers and sun-bathers of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport have miles of wide, sandy beaches to enjoy, and residents can bring their little ones to Mother’s Beach where there are kid-friendly tidal pools, a gentle slope and ocean-view playground.
Kayakers and beach-goers alike love the protection and scenery of Goose Rocks Beach. Each year, artists and photographers flock here, captivated by the natural beauty.
In Kennebunk, Mansion Mile begins on Summer Street with the Wedding Cake House and continues on, featuring almost 20 grand mansions and carriage houses once owned by sea captains. Local lore is that many are haunted.
In the event you haven’t had personal experience in the towns listed above, I’d be delighted to give you the Blanchard Grand Tour of York County’s Ocean Communities.
Contact me today to learn more!